POT (THE MOVIE) IN THE NEWS

Official Pot (the movie) TRAILER

"Pot: The Movie" Takes On All Sides of the Cannabis Controversy

There are plenty of movies about pot and then there is “Pot: The Movie.” Unlike many documentaries that often set the stage for big business agendas or paint a one-sided picture of facts, “Pot: The Movie” is a self-funded one man show written, produced and directed by a man who doesn’t grow it, can’t use it and really has no dog in the fight. Michael Hope explains that he has always tried to use his talents to stand-up against social injustice and he sees film as the most powerful medium to do so. He also saw it was time to turn the spotlight on the current injustice over one of the most misunderstood substances in history. Pot.

“My goal is to simply educate the public on the facts about marijuana. Misinformation is the injustice that is not only keeping people from a potentially life saving substance, but also allowing the continued prosecution of many innocent citizens,” says Hope...

Pot (The Movie) Features Plight Of Minnesota Family

Pot (The Movie)’ Features Plight Of Minnesota FamilyThe film premiered at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival this week, Natalie Nyhus reports (2:38). WCCO 4 News At 10 – April 11, 2015

POT (THE MOVIE)

When Colorado became the first state to allow recreational marijuana sales and use, filmmaker Michael Hope spent the year exploring the "policy cavern" between Colorado's approach and the strict prosecution in his home state of South Dakota.

Michael Hope Is on a Grassroots Mission to Educate America

Since the beginning of the last century, Marijuana has been a highly controversial topic. It seems as though much of the controversy is due to the misinformation and miseducation in America. For this reason, Michael feels that now is the right time to educate Americans on the need for more pragmatic cannabis related laws.

David and Angela Brown are featured in "Pot (the movie)." Angela Brown will go on trial for child endangerment April 22, 2015, after the Browns used cannabis oil to help their son recover from a traumatic brain injury.Courtesy Plato's Cave LLC/Hope Studios

Pot (the movie), a documentary by South Dakota filmmaker Michael Hope, premiered at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Film Festival on Saturday. It's an encyclopedic take on all of marijuana's forms and uses, the research behind its effects and the history of prohibition.

Maker of 'Pot (the movie)' takes aim at SOUTH DAKOTA

Filmmaker Seeks To Show America The Truth About Cannabis

A cannabis documentary called Pot (the movie) recently had its world premiere at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival. The film is unlike any other on the subject, covering the most common misconceptions and under communicated aspects of marijuana.

PRESS KIT

PRODUCTION STILLS

OFFICIAL POSTER

IN THE LAND OF THE FREE (SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY )

Pot (the movie) is an entertaining and educational film unlike any on this subject. In January 2014, Colorado became the first state to allow for recreational sale and use of Marijuana. Filmmaker Michael Hope spent the year exploring the issue, traveling the 10 hour and 50 years policy cavern between legalization in Colorado and the strict prosecution in his home state of South Dakota.

Millions of people have tried it, some states are starting to allow it for medical use, a few now allow if for recreational use, however many states still severely prosecute for even minor possession.

In the land of the free, some restrictions apply. People need accurate and current information for and informed opinion.This is an emerging, multi-billion dollar industry.

The Medical side of the pot story is so misunderstood. Pot (the Movie) also tells the story of mothers being prosecuted for using cannabis as medicine for themselves or their child’s serious medical conditions, after traditional medicine failed them, and repercussions of this choice, as well as stories of otherwise law-abiding citizens being affected by outdated public policy. Because of current laws, scientific testing in the U.S. is hard to do, but with the new international research about pots’ effect on major diseases, from cancer to Parkinson's, and beyond, there may be actual cures just around the corner. From minor to major ailment, this film shows some of the great promise with pot.

For the first time on film, Michael brings together the modern information on use and products, current law enforcement perspectives, as well as the history and science that led us to this crossroad in history.

This movie works to educate against a long held prejudice, developed with no basis in fact, and will de-mystify a substance that 150 Million Americans have tried, and polls show the majority of Americans think should be legal. This is one of the most misunderstood subjects in modern culture.

If you’re going to have an opinion, it might as well be an informed opinion.

For country, for freedom, for you’re buddy, See Pot (the movie).

MICHAEL HOPE BIOGRAPHY

Michael Hope is an artist, independent media producer, and the founder of Hope Studios. He has a professional background in film and television production, fine art, acting, marketing, and multimedia. His credits include directing, creating, producing, writing, editing, art direction, animation, and professional project management.

In recent years, Michael has produced commercial documentaries, a 16 episode original television series, and a number of successful marketing campaigns for a variety of clients. From his feature documentary, Pot (the Movie), to Happy Your Head with Michael Hope, to his recent pilot, Three Chords and the Truth: The Ballad of Billy Ray Ray, Michael's work reflects his core thesis: Be honest, work hard, stand for truth and justice, laugh, and follow your dreams. Michael is deeply influenced by historical figures who have courageously stood up for good, despite personal peril; speaking loving truth to power, for the good of the world. Michael has also consulted for companies looking to improve their overall productivity, creative problem solution, workflow, communication, messaging, and return on investment.

From internationally aired television and national marketing campaigns, to permanent fine art installations in cities around the world, Michael has consistently delivered timely and professional products, on budget, and on time.

Michael studied Film and Fine Art at MCAD and Dakota State University, and marketing at Dakota Wesleyan University. He is proficient in many mediums beyond film, including, original music composition, design, painting, original product design (prototyping), and creative writing.

Prior to founding Hope Studios, Michael owned Hope Glass Co., where he developed and sold his proprietary, Durabella® glass, the worlds first laminated stained glass, for traditional stained glass restoration, which utilized traditional cut stained glass and modern laminating processes, making the cut glass storm proof and bullet proof.

When he’s not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children, his friends, playing music, athletics, and painting.